June 8, 2006 -- The Nets' search for a backup point guard could come to a guy born just a few counties away: Jay Williams, the former No. 2 overall pick by Chicago out of Duke who will work out for the team Saturday, June 17.
The Nets, who have acknowledged their intrigue in the Plainfield, N.J.-born Williams, yesterday finalized the workout date.

Williams, 24, hopes to make a comeback to the NBA from a devastating motorcycle accident in June 2003 when he suffered a fractured pelvis, torn knee ligaments and damaged nerves in his left leg. He averaged 9.5 points and 4.7 assists in 2002-03 for the Bulls, who bought out the remaining two years of his contract for about $3 million and waived him.

Williams worked out last week for the Raptors and told reporters, "I actually think I'm ready to play now . . . I'm not going to be a point guard who's going to try to score 40 points, I'm going to be a guy who's going to get all my teammates involved."

The Nets have been in constant contact with Williams' camp and now are anxious to see him following his injury.